A pox on my house - (but hey cocktails)

Firstly the good news look at what my Son did a Nursery the first thing he's made so proud as he following in him mum's foot steps today it chocolate rice krispy cakes tomorrow Cake boss lol..

Well that is before he got sick, so it was my birthday in the past week I turned 36 whoop whoop actually don't mind getting older my 30's so far have been fantastic and far less stressful and unsure like my 20's were. Also because I'm embarrassed me, especially my dyslexia and dyspraxia. I find I am finally comfortable in my own skin. 

So I had a big party plan with loads of treats and fun things I was going to cook and share with my chums but the morning of the start of the festivities my son awoke with the Chicken Pox (right on my birthday, a gift I really didn't want). The poor lad was not well and I needed to cancel on everyone, two days of plans right out the window and all my cooking idea too.

Slightly worried though as the presents I did get (and please remember that most of my friends gift didn't arrive as they were bring them to the party) I still managed to amass a load of drink - Think I have an unfair reputation and yes I know my blogs are full of drinking and yes I'm going to be talking about drinking below. That's not the point and I think this characterization is wholly unfounded :P 

So on my birthday it was just My husband as me and the little one spent most of the day in bed the only highlight was Hotel Chocolat and Champagne 

Oh and I did get a cake a super cute Pug cake so cute from Asda - but between twopeople  a 16 person cake is just too much lol.

There were some highlights I manged to get back to the Artesain Bar at the Langham Hotel in London and have another one of their cocktails that's 2 now out of a list of around 20 and oh yes I will do the whole list but they are a bit pricey so will have to spread them out.

This time I had their utterly fabulous "How Not To Be Seen" it was Tots Amaz (Sorry was somewhere posh so it just came out) lol  - it was made of Martell Cordon Bleu, Caju, Sauvignon Blanc, Agave.

Goes down very well and was just as nice as the last cocktail I had there "Suspended in Time" but it was less dramatic, think next time I need one of their more showy cocktails.


Oh and I was taken by a colleague at work to Wahaca as it was only a few of us didn't want to spend it taking loads of food picks but I did take a photo of the Passion Fruit Mojito we had.

That is one smooth and refreshing cocktail, it tastes just like a fab fruit punch which I can see being dangerous as they go down far to easily but as I was only on lunch I only had one. (But will go back when I can and have more than one lol).

The other good thing this week in between trying to get a 2 and a half year old not to scratch his poxs - Which is just so much fun and who said parenting was glamorous.

The sun has finally arrived in the UK it is hot and sunny and wonderful and great and fantastic (oh you can tell I so over the cold can't you :) )

so I managed to eat outside and look my food dishes even came with a hidden Mickey.

Oh and you have to have cocktails in the sun it a rule (That I've just made up) Well I did have to use all the champagne I was gifted so, some Buck's Fizz (Mamosa) went down really well with a mini BBQ.

We just had a few nibbles some steak, plain for Hubby and then some chilli seasoned stake hot sauce and spicy seasoning for me.

so nice to eat alfresco and I really do think food is improved by your surrounding so eating some nice steak and corn in the sun taste far better than if you where eating it inside in the cold and with it raining outside.

Also with the left over steak in the evening I fried it with some mushroom and parsley to add to a salad.

I should have taken a picture of the salad but got distracted and then I was over half way through when I remembered and it look a mess. (bad food blogger, bad).

So hopefully next week the cursed Poxs should be lifted from our house (Sorry it's Shakespeare celebration over her in the UK so I'm challenging the Bard). And after all the trauma lately with one thing and other back to my old self (and maybe even a slight tan self if the weather holds).

Farmers market munchies

Hello Everyone!

How are you doing? Hope you are all well, yes? good!

Well I'm feeling better now was feeling a bit poorly ("Aww", thank you for the concern lol). So I went to the only cure for sickness - Honestly I think Doctors should recommend it - Heinz Cream of Chicken Soup. I have been having this when I'm sick ever since I was a kid makes me feel all warm and toasty inside.

This week I would like to dedicate my blog to my local Farmers Market in the little Town of West Malling.

So for those of you who don't know or didn't read my Bio (Fores-shame) I currently live in Kent which is known as the garden of England - and why yes it is very green a pretty and there are a lot of farms and fresh produce producers around.

So once a Month, the last Sunday of every month, the close down the High Street and we have a market.

It was a bit grey and rain but as a family we ventured out. 

For a small market they do sell a lot of stuff of different varieties. I do normally love McCarthy's bread but by the time I got there they had already sold out of the roasted pepper focaccias bread (Super sad faces in our household I can tell you)

And my favourite cookie stall "Thomas Cookies" was there, I even have a loyalty card saving up to get a free cookie which will probably be on my next trip!

And stall selling meat, fish, cakes, Indian food, drink and even a knife sharping dude - But as I don't normally carry my kitchen Knifes out with me I couldn't really use the service lol :)

Total side bar issue, as my blog wouldn't be my blog without me go off on a tangent! But the West Malling Tesco have totally upped their America Food Game - Reminds me of holidays and fun Although it is mostly verging on the sweet side could really do with a couple of savories like Mac-n-Cheese that orange kind you only get state side yummy.

Back to the market, we had a great time looking at all the stalls and having a chit chat with the producers think I might have to periscope it next time.

I got some lovely treats to enjoy at home.

the first was an onion bhaji - I was so useless and didn't get the name of the stall I promise if they are there next time I will get a snap and the name and they where doing curry also, so will need to try that.

Oh and of course got cookies - 3 to be exact, 2 chocolate chip ones for the Hubby and I had the oat and raisian one, I pretend as there's oat and Fruit technically it a health food lol - Well all I know is they are so tasty, very moist and chewy - Glad I only see him once a month as the diet is already awful so the last thing I need is ready access to more cookies. 

Sorry for the gratuitous shot of my bitten into cookie, but my god it was scrummy!!! mmmm cookies

We picked up some precious porkers sausages, they had some out for people to try. I thought they were great, the Husband thought they were great, but the total seal of approval came from the little one we gave him a try and he wolfed it down, he even wanted a second bite.

So with that resounding success of a tasting we had to get a pack, also the good thing is the pig are hand raised and really looked after which is good and is reflected in the taste.

We even got some Scotch Pies form Sussex Pies

Now I've never had a Scotch Pie that wasn't in Scotland, but I'm alway up to try new things.

So we have it the way the Hubby family who are Scottish have them with beans on top. 

And I can say it taste exactly the same (might even be a bit better) as the pies I have had north of the boarder. 

The Hubby gave his scottish side seal of approval too :) 

Picked up some fab meringues too, didn't get the name of this stall either but in my defence I was going to but at that point the heavens opened so need to get to cover to get the little one out of the hail - yep the spring weather in the UK has been utter crap. 

have to say it was a nice meringue crunch on the outside and a bit chewy on the inside the only issue I had was it was supposed to be chocolate but didn't taste chocolaty at all.

And the last item on my list was some lovely Rasberry Gin (Had to get the small one as they sold out of the bigger) although the lovely suppliers Wild Spirits of Kent will definitely have some more in at the next market yay.

had it with some soda water and it was lovely Although glad I got the small one as it went down far to easily lol 

So a great trip to a great little market, and its always good to buy local and you're helping a small business and your also helping the environment,  as you not getting the food miles you get from some products you pick up in the supermarket.

so if you have a farmers market near you please go have a great time exploring and you might even end up with a few lovely little treats like me :) 

No Wine (Wait, What!!) Risotto

Two posts in the same week I am spoiling you lol.

Also this is a cooking post yay - give the public what they want, even if they don't know they want it :)

So back from the Yummy Scrumminess of Scotland and with having all the fun and the drinks, it's back to the diet (Boo) but I get to try out new things so (Yay).

So I decided to make Risotto, I adore Risotto and I have a lovely summer recipe (which I will do this summer as I can take shots in my new Garden whoop whoop) of a Lemon Chicken and Spring Onion Risotto that I do  make with wine.

But as it winter and not the nicest weather here in Kent I wanted to stick with a more winter theme and because I was dieting I omitted the wine. 

So I decided to make Mushroom and Leek Risotto.

Actually a really easy recipe taking about 15-20 minutes but for the whole time you need to be on it.

For the ingredients I used, Risotto Rice, Stock Cubes , Mushroom (chopped), Quark and a bag of sliced leeks (Yes I know that make me super lazy) 

So for this recipe you need a bit of stock - I used three cubes in 1/2 Litre nearly a pint of water. 

So as usual I used spray oil and emptied about 200g of Risotto Rice in to the pan gave it a bit of a stir for 1 -2 minutes. This is when I would normally add a glass of wine and cook it down - 

Instead I just added the stock, bit by bit.

When it was around half way through the stock and about 5- 6 minutes into cooking time along with the stock I added in the chopped up mushrooms - I cooked the leeks separately in another pan as I like my leeks nice an tender. 

I cooked this for about another 10 minutes before adding the leeks, really easy but you have to keep stirring which is normally fine, but as any parent out there know that getting a toddler to behave for a few minutes is an achievement but 15 straight minutes without need to help them with something is hard. So memo to me next time making this either the other half needs to be about or he's in bed as I only managed to just save it from all sticking to the bottom of the pan doh. 

After I added the leeks I stirred in a spoonful of the quark to give it a slightly creamy texture then serve. 

Quick easy and yummy. I had so much that the next day I even managed to use the left over.

I roasted some skin free chicken breast which I added some chili and roasted tomatoes along with it. So still really healthy but another added twist to it. 

On both accounts a very filling tasty meal which is great when you're dieting as there is nothing worse than being hungry after dinner as I find for me that is optimum snacking time.

Although saying that I have now become obsessed with Muller light yogurts, I never had these two flavors before but they are supper yummy.

I even mixed in Raspberry with the Vanilla Chocolate Sprinkle one for a between meal pick me up. .

And my other favorite of their's the Banana and Custard, I had with Blueberries as a quick breakfast treat at work.

New Way to Poach Eggs

Hello

Just a quick update from me this time round as I'm off to Scotland tomorrow for a week's holiday.

Well as it's my little ones 2nd Birthday (Oh no the terrible 2s lol) we thought we'd head north to visit with some family.

I hope to spend the time walking in the stunning countryside, celebrating the little ones big day to the max and of course eating some nice and sometimes naught (Scottish Fritters - Amazing) food and having a wee dram or two :)

The only thing apart from the normal family cooking I wanted to write about this week is I've just discovered a great new way to poach eggs.

Can't take the credit, I saw a video on Facebook about it. Although this was when I was checking my phone in the middle of the night after the little one decided to get up; so when I went to check again (when I remembered it) I couldn't find it to add the link.

But if the person who posted the video reads this - Well done, you inspired me to try something new and I will now pass that knowledge on.

So what you need to do is get some Cling Film, I think Americans call it Sano Wrap?

Put the film it in a cup or a ramekin add salt pepper and oil. (In the Video they added extra herb, technically you could add anything. OMG just realized I could add cooked Bacon - Right I am doing that next time I have poached eggs.)

Then crack an egg into the center

Twist the top very tight

Then just add them to the boiling water

Cooking time is up to you depending on how runny you want them.

I normally put them in the water then put the toast in the toaster and when the toast pops my eggs are done.

Poached Egg On Toast

Now with writing this down I have realized the potential of this, adding cooked Bacon, adding Chillies, adding peppers adding anything you like;  I will definitely be doing this again.

Oh and it really helps with the washing up as you don't get that stubborn egg film in the pan and reduces the smell when cooking too.

Right signing off now as I need to get packed for my trip; but keep an eye out for next week's as it will contain all the fun and frolics I had north of the boarder.

Shortbread for everyone

A Tale of Two Buns

Or Scone (as in Cone) Vs Scone (as in Gone)

Personally I prefer scone as in gone.. As when you put them in front of me they tend to be gone lol.. 

So not much going on in the dyslexic cooking household this week. Well considering the madness of last weekend it's nice to take it a bit easy.

I'm glad for the quiet weeks as it help me keep up, as even though I write this blog weekly, being Dyslexic and a mum I find sometimes hard to keep up. Other Dyslexic will know what I mean, organisation and writing are two thing we find difficult so to combine the 2 in a blog is no mean feat. So feeling proud that I managed 46 post so far. When I hit a year I'm going to be super proud so let hope I keep it up.

Any way so the weekend was filled with baby cold, I had a slight sniffle and the husband was knocked down by the dreaded man flu dun dun dar.. Aw bless as he did have to do a couple of late night with the little lad. As I've said before the struggle of having a young child is not being able to get to rest when you want or in case of being ill need. When they're up you are up and you need to be on it you can't just plop them in an corner and ignore.

Although we did manage to have some fun, as the folks were away at the Country Landowners Association (CLA) Game Fair  we used there house for a impromptu BBQ. Just the usual fare of burgers and Sausages nothing earth shattering. Although I did manage to break out my new Drinks Holder.

It held my Gordon Gin and Schweppes tonic very well :)

Not sure if I've mention this before but I am a huge fan of Flamingos they remind me of the sun and holidays a bit like my favorite flower the Bird of Paradise.  I sure the main reason I like them is that they are not Native to the UK so have always had a air of the exotic.

When my folk did arrive back my mum brought back a tasty treat a Yorkshire Fat Rascal from Bettys a famous Tea Room in Harrogate.

I loved the little face it had on the front and as the Husband is allergic to nuts it was left to me and my mum tucked in.

It was so yum, filled to bursting with currants and mixed peel. It traveled really well considering it been in the car for the 3 hour trip back. So now Bettys is definitely on my list of places I need to visit.

so that was the first Scone of the week.

The second one came again courtesy of my folks. As for their 40th Wedding anniversary my brother and I bought them a Fortnum and Mason Picnic at the top of The Shard. They gushed about having an amazing time which was great. Also from the photos it did look lovely.

They were lucky in having it on a really clear day which helped; as London is such a beautiful city a perfect eclectic mix of the Really Old and the Really new and all the other building in between.

Not to prattle on too much, but London is a fantastic city and if you've never been you should visit. Yes it is expensive I won't lie, although you can have a fab time and see so much just having a walk about discovering all the treats this sprawling city has to offer.

So after their great day I picked them up from the station to hear about their good time. They brought me back a mini treat a couple of Fortnum and Mason scones with jar of Strawberry Jam.

This was nommy too, it was so light and fluffy and in the same bite rich and creamy.


Not sure which one I liked best though??!?!? hmm I've decided as one was a fruit Scone and was was a plain scone it was unfair to rate one above the other. I have come to a conclusion they were both the best scone I've had in a long time.

Only problem is the diet has gone right out the window as I also managed to slip in a Starbucks Chocolate Cream Frappuccino so I think my trip to Slimming World will be a disaster this week.

Oh well it just means I will be spending the weekend cooking lots of healthy recipes so my post will be filled with lots of nice home cooked things next week...

Sorry :(

Just to say sorry it's been a couple of weeks since I last posted. I've had a sick child, with a virus and conguntivitus to boot so I've have no time for much lately let alone cooking or eating out, boo :(

Although a friend of mine did bring back some intersing sweets from Hong Kong which were funky and yummy 

The pooh ones were my favourite as the candy was Mickey ear shaped lol 

But I promise to make it up to you all as I'm off to Malaysia tomorrow for 2 and a half weeks so I hopefully will be posting loads as I plan to try loads of different foods and new experience.

So excited!!! roll on the sun, fun and food :)